Will Oscar De La Hoya Do The Right Thing?
May 4, 2008
“Tremendous”… “fighting a perfect fight”… “turned back the clock”… these were some of the movie-review superlatives coming out of announcer Emanuel Steward’s mouth as Oscar De La Hoya beat Steve Forbes in a unanimous one-sided decision. But Steward was more HBO promoter than legendary trainer in his commentary. The reality is much less useful in hyping a potential De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather rematch in September. The truth is Oscar was only “decent” and because of the caliber of his opponent, we can learn absolutely nothing from Oscar’s hometown performance in front of a 27,000 sellout outdoor crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Steve Forbes was a perfectly hand-picked opponent for two reasons. As the latest iteration of former fighters on “The Contender” TV series being trotted out for stat-padding, Forbes provided high-end marketability with low-end talent. Secondly, Forbes came with a number that pretty much ensured that a Oscar-Floyd rematch would not get upset: NINE – as in only 9 knockouts in 33 professional victories while never fighting a champioship-level opponent. Since Forbes has also never been knocked down, he was the perfect tune-up fight. Oscar can’t lose, but can get some rounds to work the rust off.
To his credit, Forbes went the distance again, and landed a couple of overhand rights and combinations during the fight — enough to mark-up Oscar’s eyes after 12 rounds. But to watch Forbes lack of punching power is to wonder how he ever got those nine knockouts in the first place. No disrespect to Forbes, but this 6-year old boy’s (”Bam Bam”) punches seemed to have as much snap.
The Contender - R.I.P.: And if I’m not ready to shower Oscar with praise despite consistently landing stiff left jabs, overhand rights, and displaying good stamina, it’s because “The Contender” gravy train must now be officially stopped. Enough is enough. Forbes may have stayed on his feet, but he never had a chance. This is after watching Peter Manfredo get destroyed by Joe Calzaghe, and Alphonso Gomez get annihalated by Miguel Cotto. Unfortunately, “The Contender” TV series has now been cancelled, when they only needed to cancel the post-season. If these guys want to get matched-up with a washed-up Arturo Gatti, then fine. But please no more contests against “the big boys”. It is becoming a repeated insult to the sport of boxing. Should Sergio Mora sign on to fight Jermain Taylor, I’ll make sure to lead the HBO protest.
Immediate Welterweight Future: Now it’s on to a September money rematch between Floyd and Oscar which will likely end exactly like the first fight. But despite believing that PBF is the best welterweight, I have to agree with the folks over at “East Side Boxing”that the upcoming July fight between Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito is the REAL welter weight championship www.eastsideboxing.com/boxing/Cotto-Margarito.php . If Floyd or Oscar truly valued the sport, one of them would be fighting Cotto in September. Mayweather-Cotto is boxing’s best match-up, but Floyd has avoided this fight for two years because he can make more money at Wrestle Mania and in rematches that no one has asked to see.
Will Oscar Do The Right Thing? It is up to Oscar to do the right thing since Floyd has previously stated that he wouldn’t let Cotto “eat off his name”. To his credit, Oscar has a history of fighting the toughest and most deserving opponents throughout his career. But Oscar said he wanted to fight three more fights before retiring. Steve Forbes? Strike #1. Floyd Mayweather? Been there, done that… Strike #2. An unknown opponent in December?… If Oscar wants to maintain his legacy as a non-ducker, build the sport, and go out with a home run, there is only one way: Grant Miguel Cotto your final career fight. If Oscar wins, then there is no better career ending. If he loses, no harm done and you have elevated Cotto’s popularity beyond boxing circles by allowing him the same resume/marketing-building opportunity that an old Julio Cesar Chavez once provided a young Oscar. Finally an Oscar-Cotto December fight would be the ultimate set-up for 2009’s ultimate mega-fight — Mayweather vs. Cotto. By that point Floyd “Money” Mayweather will no longer say “no”. Do the right thing in December Oscar. Let’s get it on!
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Modi - I agree DLH was decent but perfect fight for him. Forbes has been trained by Roger, so his style very similar to Floyd, albeit, much less talented but same style of defense. DLH looked good in the later rounds, jabbed a lot and stayed on his toes. I was saying to my friends that DLH should forget about the KO and just jab the guy to “death” so when and if he fight Floyd he won’t abandon it. Also, Forbes has never been down and has a good beard. DLH needed this fight, he needed to be active…he will take sometime off and start training again for Sept., all the while Floyd is waving flags, wrestling and making appearences. He may be ripe for the defeat.
So DLH says he has 2 fights left…let’s assume Sept is Floyd and he beats him…will there be a trilogy or does he then go for Cotto?
AGS, if DLH beats PBF, then a trilogy would definitely be the best fight!.. just don’t see it happening… if not, he has got to fight Cotto instead of some oldie like Trinidad…
DLH was lucky to get a split decision against PBF the last time around. What was telling for me was how easily the light hitting Forbes was able to tag DLH when he came out of his defensive shell. Dwil is right about Steward. he was just hyping this fight for PR purposes as opposed to serious commentary on the fight. Also, I think that because a lot of people don’t like PBF, they tend to underestimate him. He may have spent some time clowning recently but he always stays fit and ready. A second DLH fight would be cake for him but it will happen because the money is too big for either fighter to ignore.
Ks is right. PBF, similarly to B-Hop, doesn’t let himself go between fights. Ougtta be more of the same against ODLH, probably even more in favor of Floyd. I expect him to fight Cotto after defeating Oscar.
Forbes is not a bad fighter but as everyone has already commented he has no power and was slower and smaller than Oscar which means that there was literally no way he was going to win that fight. ODLH was able to use his jab effectively against the shorter fighter but I was surprised to see Forbes tag him with some good shots.
I’m not as down on The Contender as you, MODI. I don’t think anyone watching the show came away thinking these guys were world-class fighters. They’re glorified club fighters, who get picked for title fights because they have name-recognition without actually being dangerous.
I agree that the Cotto fight is where it’s at. How long can Floyd duck him before it starts making him look bad?
MODI- I find it ASTONISHING how people still consider AVOID GAYFEATHER as the best welterweight. The ONLY natural welter this bag of HBO hype has fought was Baldomir. Every other fighter on his resume since he fought Sharmba Mitchell were products of lower weight classes. It’s unbelievable. Every other welterweight champion has title defenses/fights against natural welterweights. Amazing how AVOID still has not defended any of the belts he has won against legit contenders from the respective weight class he participates in.
The shocking part is you just beginning to recognize the SCAM Avoid is pulling on professional boxing. The guy wins titles and NEVER defends them against anyone from the weight class.
As for Oscar’s trilogy, look for him to propose a megafight between himself and Felix Trinidad with Trinidad coming down to 168 and Oscar choosing to fight around 150. That’s Oscar’s last huge money fight. Oscar, much like Avoid, won’t dare fight Cotto. Fighting Cotto brings a heavy and painful price (see Mosley and Quintana). Neither Avoid or Oscar want to fight that type of grueling and punishing fight.
ks, I’m with you on the comments, but I wrote this piece not dwil… I get that alot since mocing over to SOMM and I take it as a compliment…
David, i am a fan of the contender… just not the championship fights after the series is over
– Jimmy, as always I accept your critique and will be happy to let the 2009 mayweather-Cotto fight speak for itself. If the fight doesn’t come off, i will write an article giving you all the praise in the world and how the rest of us were hoodwinked… if Oscar fights Tito in his finale, I will be sorely disappointed… if Oscar were really smart he would make a deal by fighting him and then signing him to Golden Boy promotions as DLH. Sugar, and BHop are just about out of money fights
MODI- Oscar always made ENORMOUS excuses NOT to fight Tito after their first fight and I GUARANTEE you that fight would fetch more than 1 MILLION buys on PPV. I, for one, am DYING to see Oscar knocked out unconscious. In my eyes, REAL FIGHTERS always retire after throwing themselves on their sword. All the true greats get KNOCKED OUT towards the end of their careers. If Oscar were a real great, he accepts the challenge of fighting Trinidad, despite the weight differential. Supposedly, Oscar is considering allowing Felix to come into the ring at 168 and he would enter at 150. I hope that type of arrogance shown by Oscar and his handlers creates a fight with Tito. Tito deserves to go out on a scintillating KO and who else would fit that bill better than Oscar. As one of Tito’s biggest supporters since he won his first title in 1993, I would PAY to see Oscar HUMILIATED.
Modi….Avoid has you hoodwinked, man. I have been saying this to everyone since he ducked Cotto @ 140 and then spun it around claiming Bob Arum said Cotto wasn’t ready. Since 2004, Avoid has done NOTHING to make me sway from those comments. Even if he DOES fight Cotto in 2009, Avoid would have gone 5 years without fighting a TOP FLIGHT fighter in his prime. If you think he doesn’t have you guys tricked, you’re not paying attention.
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